A Tinnitus, Hyperacusis and Misophonia Patient Walk into a Clinic…

Session Description

Healthcare providers in the field of audiology and otolaryngology encounter patients of varying conditions and symptoms on a daily basis. Aside from the common complaints of hearing loss and dizziness, patients seeking the care of an otologic specialist may also report difficulties with hearing noises in their head/ears or experiencing difficulties with various sounds in the environment. While tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is fairly well-known by practitioners, far fewer are familiar with conditions related to the sensitivity to specific sound triggers such as hyperacusis and misophonia. It is imperative that healthcare providers are able to identify and distinguish the differences between these symptoms in order to determine if diagnostic evaluation and/or management is warranted. Left untreated, the severity of these symptoms may range from mildly bothersome to severe and may impact the individual's quality of life to varying degrees. This session will empower attendees with the fundamental knowledge to properly assess and identify patient symptoms in order to provide appropriate care and referral.